The Centennials are happy to host the Men’s Senior AA playoff series finals on Saturday, March 5th and Sunday, March 6th, if needed. The Powell River Regals and Dawson Creek Senior Canucks will compete at the NVMA in games two and three (if needed) in a qualification series for the Coy Cup.
These games will allow many Centennials and BCHL alumni to once again return to the NVMA and feel the support of the community of Merritt.
Men’s Senior AA Hockey
The Coy Cup is awarded to the top Senior AA team in British Columbia, there are 10 teams currently in the province, 7 Teams in the CIHL and 3 independent teams. The CIHL currently has Quesnel, Williams Lake, Nechako, Hazelton, Kitimat, Terrace and Prince Rupert, these teams are in their playoffs and down to final four with Quesnel vs Williams Lake and Terrace vs Prince Rupert.
Powell River, Dawson Creek and Rossland are the independents this season being a restart from 2020. There are a few teams not playing this year but with the hope to return to action for the 2022/2023 season.
Playoffs
Due to COVID, it was determined a CIHL champion would not be known until the third week of March in a round-robin series between Powell River, Dawson Creek and Rossland. Currently, Rossland is eliminated, and Dawson Creek is ahead of Powell River by one game, making Saturday night a must-win for the Regals to force a deciding game on Sunday.
The winner of this playoff series will go on to compete for the Coy Cup against the CIHL champion.
The Powell River Regals
The Powell River Regals are in its 67th year of competition and have been a proud contributor to the local community of Powell River for all of its years of operation. The Regals are a highly decorated team and have earned many accomplishments throughout their years of operation. The Regals are members of the BC Hockey Hall of Fame and have also been a feature in the Hockey Hall of Fame located in Toronto, Ontario. Within their accomplishments are four National Championships and seven Allan Cup Tournaments with four wins. The 2001 and 2006 Regals also had the opportunity to travel overseas and represent Team Canada.
The Dawson Creek Senior Canucks
The Dawson Creek Senior Canucks began in November 1946 and have brought together the community of Dawson Creek for 76 years.
Over the years, the Dawson Creek Senior Canucks have won twelve South Peace Hockey League Championships, eight SPHL playoff championships, and appeared in three North Peace Hockey League finals, winning two. In addition, they are the current Coy Cup champions, having won the past two championships.
An interesting attachment that the Dawson Creek Senior Canucks have with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks is their shared logos. The “Johnny Canuck” used by the Vancouver Canucks from 1951 to their inaugural NHL season in 1970 was “lent” to them by the executive of the Dawson Creek Senior Canucks on an ongoing handshake agreement allowing both teams to use it.
Game Information
The Powell River Regals and Dawson Creek Senior Canucks will be facing off at the NVMA on Saturday, March 5th, at 7:00 pm. Admission is free for twelve and under, $5 for students and seniors and $10 for adults.
If needed, the Regals and Senior Canucks will also be playing Sunday, March 6th at 1:30 pm.
